We’re excited to share the latest episode in our Let’s Talk MCAS podcast, where Deborah sits down to chat with Dr Lawrence Afrin, the well-known pioneer in the field of MCAS.

Dr Afrin, clinical haematologist and oncologist, shares how recognising his first case of MCAS changed the direction of his career, and why he believes the condition is far more common than many clinicians realise.

Together, they explore why MCAS can be so difficult to diagnose, how mast cells can produce many different mediators beyond histamine and tryptase, and why the condition can present so differently from one person to another.

They also discuss treatment approaches, identifying triggers, the genetics of MCAS, the urgent need for better medical education, and exciting developments that could help transform diagnosis and treatment in the future.

For anyone living with MCAS, supporting someone with the condition, or wanting to better understand the science behind it, this is a must-listen conversation with one of the world’s leading experts.

Listen to our conversation with Dr Lawrence Afrin now on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.

Dr. Lawrence Afrin - Hematology/Oncology & Mast Cell Disease Specialist

International Society for Mast Cell Activation Syndromes (ISMCAS)

Mould is something many of us think of as little more than an inconvenience, but for some people it can have a profound impact on their health. In this episode of the Let’s Talk MCAS Podcast, Deborah Bircham is joined by Lisa Malyon, founder of Indoor Air Aware and the UK Centre for Mould Safety, to explore the growing evidence around indoor mould exposure and why it matters, particularly for people living with complex chronic illnesses such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

Drawing on her own family's experience of mould-related illness, Lisa shares the events that led her to establish Indoor Air Aware and create the Mums vs. Mould community, which now supports thousands of people navigating the challenges of unhealthy indoor environments. Together, Deborah and Lisa discuss the wide-ranging health effects that can be associated with mould exposure, why some people appear to be more susceptible than others, and the role that genetics may play in determining individual risk.

The conversation also tackles common misconceptions about mould remediation, explaining why simply cleaning visible mould is often not enough, and offers practical guidance on assessing indoor environments, testing for mould, and reducing exposure safely and effectively.

Whether you are living with MCAS, supporting someone with a chronic illness, or simply want to better understand the health implications of damp and mould, this episode provides an informative and thought-provoking discussion. It also shines a light on the urgent need for greater public awareness, more research, and improved housing standards to help protect people's health.

Indoor Air Aware: https://www.indoorairaware.co.uk/

UK Centre for Mould Safety: https://training.ukcms.org/home

Mums v Mould FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/347649538392335

WattsWatt: https://wattswatt.co.uk/

In this episode, Deborah is joined by author, health journalist and patient advocate Penny Parkes. They discuss Penny’s new book ‘How to Talk So Your Doctor Will Listen’, and explore the concept of advocacy in relation to chronic illness and MCAS specifically. Those of us living with MCAS often face difficulties with being heard and understood by our doctors, and Penny explores why this is, and how we can ‘work the system’ to improve our chances of getting a successful outcome from medical appointments.
If you live with MCAS and you have experienced dismissal from medical professionals, or have left appointments feeling unheard and frustrated, then this episode is a ‘must-listen’. You will never look at a medical appointment in the same way again!

Link to Penny’s book: https://amzn.eu/d/0blXKRUx
Link to Penny’s social: https://www.instagram.com/how2talktoyourdoctor/